WO2023215923A1

WO2023215923A1 - Synchronisation rod for furniture drives

Info

Publication number: WO2023215923A1
Application number: PCT/AT2023/060112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olaf Isele
Original assignee: Julius Blum Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-05-13
Filing date: 2023-04-05
Publication date: 2023-11-16
Also published as: AT525976A4; AT525976B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a synchronisation rod (1) for furniture drives (2) for the synchronous moving of movable furniture parts (3), comprising at least one coupling portion (4) for connection to a furniture drive (2) and comprising a synchronisation portion (5) along a length (6) of the synchronisation rod (1), more particularly arranged between two opposite coupling portions (4), wherein the synchronisation portion (5), as seen in a cross-section (7) taken orthogonally to the length (6), has a first outer contour portion (8) in the form of a circular segment (9) and at least one further outer contour portion (10), preferably adjacent to the first outer contour portion (8), having a geometry in a form that is not a circular segment (9), wherein the circular segment (9) – comprises an angular range of between 250° and 330° and/or – comprises an angular range of between 180° and 350°, wherein the further outer contour portion (10) is arranged exclusively on one side of the synchronisation rod (1).

Description

Synchronization rod for furniture drives

The invention relates to a synchronization rod for furniture drives for the synchronous movement of movable furniture parts, comprising at least one coupling area for connection to a furniture drive and a synchronization area along a longitudinal extent of the synchronization rod, in particular arranged between two opposite coupling areas. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement of at least two furniture drives, each with a drive device and at least one actuating arm for the synchronized movement of a movable furniture part and at least one such synchronization rod. Furthermore, the invention relates to a piece of furniture with a furniture body and at least one such arrangement as well as a method for producing a synchronization area of such a synchronization rod.

Such a synchronization rod with a round cross-sectional profile is already known from EP 2 491 213 B1.

The disadvantage of the prior art is that in the course of the extrusion process of the synchronization area of the synchronization rod, the inner contour provided for synchronization is twisted, since the extruded raw material has a very high longitudinal extent and during extrusion the raw material flowing through the extrusion mold rotates. This means that precise and proper synchronization of furniture drives cannot be guaranteed. Particularly due to component tolerances, a high proportion of synchronization rods must therefore be rejected as scrap.

The visual appearance of synchronization rods is of essential importance to a furniture operator visual or aesthetic impression of non-round synchronization areas has a diminishing effect in this regard.

The objective technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide a synchronization device that is improved compared to the prior art and a method for producing the synchronization range, in which the disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially eliminated and which are reduced in particular by a Twisting of the inner contour for precise synchronization of furniture drives with an aesthetically appealing design.

This task is solved by the features of claim 1.

It is therefore provided according to the invention that the synchronization region has a first outer contour section in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal extent in the form of a circle segment and at least one further outer contour section, preferably adjacent to the first outer contour section, in the form of a geometry deviating from a circle segment, the circle segment

- comprises an angular range between 250 ° and 330 ° and/or

- comprises an angular range between 180° and 350°, with the further outer contour section being arranged exclusively on one side of the synchronization rod.

This makes it possible for twisting of the synchronization area - in particular an inner contour used for synchronization - to be at least reduced or inhibited, preferably completely prevented, in the course of the extrusion process for producing the synchronization rod, and for precise coordination of furniture drives can be generated for the synchronized movement of movable furniture parts.

In addition, there is the positive property that the remaining first outer contour section can give the operator of the synchronization rod the impression that it is a round synchronization area, since the positioning of the at least one further outer contour section in an open position of the actuating arms towards a rear of the furniture drive can point and in the closed position of the actuating arms can be covered by the movable furniture part.

The cross section of the synchronization area therefore enables a dual function of reducing manufacturing-related undesirable effects as well as maintaining the appearance of a round synchronization area, whereby the position of the at least one further outer contour section can be automatically adapted to the positioning of the actuating arm.

Particularly preferably, the synchronization rod comprises a one-sided flattening in cross section and/or a circular segment with an angular range between 190° and 350° in order to enable the impression of a circular synchronization rod from slightly different viewing angles in an operating position of the synchronization rod and/or the advantage of reduction to use twisting effectively.

As stated at the beginning, protection is also sought for an arrangement of at least two furniture drives, each with a drive device and at least one actuating arm for the synchronized movement of a movable furniture part and at least one such synchronization rod, with the at least two furniture drives in the position of use Viewing area and a rear side and the actuating arms can be moved between an open position and a closed position, the at least one further outer contour section pointing in the open position of the adjusting arms in the direction of the back and / or in the closed position in the direction of the viewing area.

As stated at the beginning, protection is also sought after for a piece of furniture with a furniture body and at least one such arrangement.

As stated at the beginning, protection is also sought for a method for producing a synchronization area of such a synchronization rod, whereby the following method steps are carried out:

- an extrusion mold with a first die contour in the form of a circular segment and at least one further die contour, in particular adjacent to the first die contour, is provided, the at least one further die contour having a geometry that deviates from the first die contour, preferably rectilinear having

- A raw material is extruded through the extrusion mold and cut to length to form the synchronization area.

The at least one further outer contour section that deviates from the round shape can be formed via the further matrix contour, whereby twisting of the synchronization area is reduced in the sense of a guide contour. As a result, synchronization teeth of the synchronization rod can be used for synchronization in the correct position over a longitudinal extent of the synchronization rod.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one further outer contour section comprises a straight line and/or is designed as at least one straight line adjacent to the circular segment.

At least one straight line effectively prevents twisting of the synchronization area, whereby the straight line can serve as a support in the manufacturing process, which can counteract undesirable rotation in the extrusion mold.

It is advantageously provided that the cross section of the synchronization area is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and/or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

In general, only an area of the cross section that deviates from a circular shape is required, so that this area can act as an inhibiting area to reduce twisting of the synchronization area.

It has proven to be advantageous that the at least one further outer contour section comprises a, preferably wave-shaped or polygonal, corrugation.

In general, others are also of the circular type

Cross-sectionally different shapes are conceivable.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the synchronization area comprises at least one, preferably polygon-like, inner contour, preferably with at least one bulge, for synchronizing the furniture drives, the inner contour being designed to be mirror-symmetrical and/or exclusively a 360° Rot at ions symmetry, preferably 180 ° rot at ions symmetry.

The inner contour can be used for synchronization, with an asymmetrically designed inner contour allowing twisting of the synchronization area to be reduced particularly favorably.

It has proven to be advantageous that the at least one inner contour and the cross section of the synchronization area are designed asymmetrically over the entire synchronization area.

Through asymmetrical inner and outer contours, undesirable deflection of material in the synchronization area in a plane of the cross section along the synchronization area can be particularly effectively restricted.

An advantageous variant of the present invention is that the at least one coupling region comprises a, preferably wave-shaped, coupling contour and/or a plate-shaped coupling device, it being preferably provided that the at least one coupling contour is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and/or exclusively to have a 360° rotational symmetry , preferably 180 ° rotational symmetry .

With an asymmetrical coupling contour, the synchronization can take place with particularly high accuracy - especially in combination with an asymmetrical inner and / or outer contour.

It is particularly preferred that the

Synchronization area, preferably the synchronization rod, is extruded. Extrusion has proven to be particularly advantageous for - in particular hollow - profiles of synchronization rods, whereby a large number of synchronization rods can be manufactured from one raw material, with specific dimensions of synchronization rods being able to be achieved - preferably subsequently.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention it is provided that the circular segment comprises an angular range between 180° and 350°, preferably between 250° and 330°, particularly preferably between 290° and 320°.

If the angular range of the circle segment is smaller, twisting is prevented to a greater extent. If the angular range of the circle segment is larger, concealing the at least one further outer contour section in the open position of the actuating arms can be generated more easily from different viewing angles.

According to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one straight line is designed in the form of a polygon, preferably approximately to a circular contour and/or as an alternating polygon.

In principle, a straight line - or, for example, an elliptical shape - is sufficient to reduce the twisting of the synchronization range. From a manufacturing perspective, however, it can be advantageous to provide a large number of adjacent or spaced straight lines.

It has proven to be advantageous that the at least one straight line in the longitudinal extension forms a flattening of the synchronization area at least in some areas, preferably completely. If the flattening is present over the entire longitudinal extent of the synchronization area, the twisting cannot only be inhibited locally.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the raw material is pre-tempered in a preparatory process step and/or before cutting to length, the extruded raw material is stretched, preferably using tongs, and/or is aged in an oven.

Flow properties can be adjusted via pre-tempering. Material-specific characteristics can be adjusted via aging. Stretching can reduce production-related bends.

In a further embodiment, the extrusion mold for extrusion can comprise a first die and at least a second die separate from the first die, it preferably being provided that the at least one second die comprises a core which is at least partially in the first die, preferably with the same horizon of the dies and/or to form a substantially identical flow rate of the raw material over the dies, projects.

Using two matrices (often referred to as flying matrices), complex geometries can be generated within the synchronization area, with raw material flowing together over the two matrices to form the synchronization area. The core can support this manufacturing process.

Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below using the description of the figures with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Show in it: Fig. la, lb a piece of furniture with an arrangement with a synchronization rod according to a preferred exemplary embodiment in a perspective view with two enlarged detail sections of a connection of the synchronization rod to a furniture drive,

Fig. 2 the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment according to FIG. 1b in a perspective view with an enlarged detail of the connection of the synchronization rod with hidden movable furniture part and hidden cover,

Fig. 3 the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment according to FIG. la in a view from the front and a sectional view from the side,

Fig. 4 the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment according to FIG. la in a sectional view from the side in the open position with an enlarged detail in the area of the synchronization rod,

Fig. 5 the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment according to FIG. la in a sectional view from the side in the closed position with an enlarged detail in the area of the synchronization rod,

Fig. 6 the furniture with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment according to FIG. la in a perspective view with hidden furniture part l and hidden cover as well as an enlarged detail of the connection of the synchronization rod to the furniture drive,

Fig. 7 the furniture drive with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment according to FIG. 1b in a view from the side with an enlarged detail of the synchronization rod and a corresponding recording on the furniture drive, Fig. 8 the furniture drive with the synchronization rod according to the embodiment according to FIG. 1b in a perspective view with an enlarged detail of a coupling area of the synchronization rod,

Fig. 9 an enlarged detail of the recording on the furniture drive in a perspective view,

Fig. 10a, 10b an illustration of a method not according to the invention for producing a synchronization rod by extrusion in a perspective view,

Fig. 11 shows the illustration of the method not according to the invention according to FIG. 10b in a view from above with three sectional views and three enlarged detail sections,

Fig. 12a, 12b an illustration of an inventive

Manufacturing process by extrusion in a perspective view,

Fig. 13 shows the illustration of the method according to the invention according to FIG. 12b in a view from above with three sectional views and three enlarged detail sections.

Fig. la shows a piece of furniture 28 with a furniture body 29 and at least one arrangement of two furniture drives 2, each with a drive device 21 and an actuating arm 22 for the synchronized movement of a movable furniture part 3.

The arrangement includes a synchronization rod 1. The two furniture drives 2 are arranged in the use position 23 and have a viewing area 24 and a rear side 25. The actuating arms 22 can be moved between an open position 26 and a closed position 27 (see FIG. 5). In Fig. 1b, the connection area of the synchronization rod 1 with the furniture drive 2 can be seen, since a cover of the synchronization rod is hidden for illustration.

Fig. 2 shows the furniture 28 with the adjusting arms 22 in the open position 26 without a movable furniture part 3 and a cover for the synchronization rod 1. The synchronization rod 1 synchronizes the movement of the two furniture drives 2.

The synchronization rod 1 for the furniture drives 2 for the synchronous movement of the movable furniture parts 3 comprises two coupling areas 4 for connection to a respective furniture drive 2 via a receiving area designed to correspond to the coupling area 4 in a mechanical drive unit, generally an electric drive unit in addition or alternatively can be used .

The synchronization rod 1 comprises a synchronization region 5 along a longitudinal extension 6 (see FIG. 8) of the synchronization rod 1, which is arranged between two opposite coupling regions 4.

Fig. 3 shows the furniture 28 in a view from the front (with a remaining cover of the synchronization rod 1), whereby a sectional view through the synchronization rod 1 in the synchronization area 5 can be seen below, which is shown in FIG. 4 is shown enlarged.

In Fig. 4 it can be seen that the synchronization area 5 in cross section 7 orthogonal to the longitudinal extent 6 has a first outer contour section 8 in the form of a circle segment 9 and a further outer contour section 10 adjacent to the first outer contour section 8 in the form of a geometry deviating from a circle segment 9. The further outer contour section 10 points in the open position 26 of the actuating arms 22 towards the back 25 of the furniture drives 2 and in the closed position 27 in the direction of the viewing area 24 of the furniture drives 2, so that for a user of the furniture drives 2 the usual aesthetically pleasing appearance of the synchronization rod 1 can be seen and the further outer contour section 10, which counteracts the twisting in the manufacturing process and deviates from the circle segment 9, remains hidden for a user looking towards the viewing area 24.

The further outer contour section 10 is designed in the form of a straight line 11 adjacent to the circle segment 9, with a large number of straight lines 11 or other contours being generally possible along the synchronization area 5.

In the schematic representation at the bottom left, further conceivable geometries of the further outer contour section 10 can be seen, with the further outer contour section 10 as a wave-shaped corrugation 12 at the upper end of an imaginary circular contour 18, as a polygon-like corrugation 12 at the left end of the imaginary circular contour 18 and is designed as a straight line 11 in the form of a polygon 17, which approximates the imaginary circular contour 18. The polygon-like corrugation 12 is in the form of an alternating polygon 19. Preferably, only one such further outer contour section 10 is used, and in general several different or similar outer contour sections 10 can also be combined, which are arranged, for example, at different positions on the cross section 7 or adjacent to one another.

Fig. 5 shows the actuating arms 22 in the closed position 27, with the straight line 11 pointing in the direction of the viewing area 24, which is covered by the movable furniture part 3. In the enlarged detailed section it can be seen that the cross section 7 of the synchronization area 5 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry. In general, it is conceivable to provide, for example, 180° rotational symmetry.

The straight line 11 extends over an angular range of approximately 55°, with the adjacent circle segment 9 of the first outer contour section 8 having an angular range between 290° and 320°. The extent of the circle segment 9 is generally not limited to a specific angular range, although straight lines 11, for example, can also be spaced apart by further circle segments 9.

The synchronization area 5 includes a polygon-like inner contour 13 with two bulges 14 for synchronizing the furniture drives 2.

The inner contour 13 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, although in general, for example, 180° rotational symmetry is also possible.

Fig. 6 shows the synchronization rod 1 in the closed position 27, the inner contour 13 and the cross section 7 of the synchronization area 5 being designed asymmetrically over the entire synchronization area 5.

The straight line 11 completely forms a flattening 20 of the synchronization area 5 in the longitudinal extent 6.

In Fig. 7 is the furniture drive 2 with the synchronization rod 1 dismantled, with the detailed section of the Synchronization rod 1 (above the receptacle of the furniture drive 2 corresponding to the coupling area 4) can be seen that the coupling area 4 includes a wave-shaped coupling contour 15.

The coupling contour 15 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, although 180° rotational symmetry is also possible, for example. The flattened area of the coupling contour 15 can achieve backlash-reducing synchronization.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the furniture drive 2 with the synchronization rod 1 mounted, the coupling area 4 comprising a plate-shaped coupling device 16.

The synchronization area 5 is extruded, with a preferred manufacturing method being explained by FIGS. 12a to 13.

Fig. 9 shows the receptacle of the furniture drive 2 for connection to the coupling area 4 of the synchronization rod, the receptacle being designed to correspond to the coupling area 4.

Fig. 10a shows an extrusion process of synchronization rods 1, which is not according to the invention, in which a rotationally symmetrical horizon of two matrices 36, 37 of an extrusion mold is used to create the synchronization area 5 in FIG. 10b to produce.

In Fig. 11 it can be seen in three sectional views along the synchronization area 5 that the inner contour 13 is undesirably twisted along the synchronization area 5 during the extrusion process. This results in improper synchronization of the furniture drives 2. Fig. 12a shows an extrusion process according to the invention of the synchronization area 5, whereby twisting of the inner contour 13 is inhibited.

The extrusion mold 30 comprises a first die 36 for extrusion and a second die 37 separate from the first die 36 - the number is generally arbitrary.

The second die 37 comprises a core 38 which passes into the first die 36 with the same horizon of the dies 36, 37 to form the two outer contour sections 8, 10 of the synchronization rod 1 and to form a substantially identical flow velocity of the raw material 30 the matrices 36, 37 protrude.

The method for producing the synchronization area 5 of the synchronization rod 1 can be exemplified by the following method steps: The ones shown in Fig. 12a visible extruded mold 30 with a first die contour 31 in the form of a circular segment 9 and a further die contour 32 adjacent to the first die contour 31 is provided, the further die contour 32 having a geometry that deviates from the first die contour 31 - for example in Shape of a flattened contour - and a raw material 33 is passed through the extrusion mold 30, as in Fig. 12b can be seen, extruded and cut to the desired dimensions to form the synchronization area 5.

The cutting to length must be made so wide that a raw material 33 with a defined length is used to produce the synchronization area 5 with the desired dimensions. In this exemplary method, the raw material 33 is pre-tempered in a preparatory process step and the extruded raw material 33 is stretched using pliers to reduce bending before being cut to length and then aged in an oven.

Fig. 13 shows analogous to FIG. 11 three sectional views along the synchronization area 5, whereby it can be seen in the associated enlarged detail sections that there is no twisting of the inner contour 13 due to the flattened die 36 with the further die contour 32 to form the further outer contour section 10, which ensures synchronization with high precision can be - without reducing the visual appearance of the synchronization rod 1.

Claims

Patent claims. Synchronization rod (1) for furniture drives (2) for the synchronous movement of movable furniture parts (3), comprising at least one coupling area (4) for connection to a furniture drive (2) and a synchronization area (5) along a longitudinal extent (6) of the synchronization rod (1 ), in particular arranged between two opposite coupling areas (4), the synchronization area (5) in cross section (7) orthogonal to the longitudinal extent (6) having a first outer contour section (8) in the form of a circle segment (9) and at least one, preferably on the first outer contour section (8) adjacent, further outer contour section (10) in the form of one

Circle segment (9) has a different geometry, characterized in that the circle segment (9)

- covers an angular range between 250° and 330° and/or

- comprises an angular range between 180° and 350°, the further outer contour section (10) being arranged exclusively on one side of the synchronization rod (1). Synchronization rod (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10 comprises a straight line (11) and / or is designed as at least one straight line (11) adjacent to the circle segment (9). Synchronization rod (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross section (7) of the synchronization area (5) is mirror-symmetrical and/or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180°.

Rotational symmetry. 4. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one further outer contour section (10) comprises a, preferably wave-shaped or polygon-like, corrugation (12).

5. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the synchronization area (5) comprises at least one, preferably polygon-like, inner contour (13), preferably with at least one bulge (14), for synchronizing the furniture drives (2), the inner contour (13) is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and/or has exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably 180° rotational symmetry.

6. Synchronization rod (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one inner contour (13) and the cross section (7) of the synchronization area (5) are designed asymmetrically over the entire synchronization area (5).

7. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one coupling area (4) comprises a, preferably wave-shaped, coupling contour (15) and / or a plate-shaped coupling device (16), it is preferably provided that the at least one coupling contour (15) is designed with mirror symmetry and/or exclusively 360° rotational symmetry, preferably

180” rotational symmetry, features .

8. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the synchronization region (5), preferably the synchronization rod (1), is extruded.

9. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circular segment (9) comprises an angular range between 290° and 320°.

10. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the at least one straight line (11) is designed in the form of a polygon (17), preferably approximately to a circular contour (18) and / or as an alternating polygon (19). .

11. Synchronization rod (1) according to one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the at least one straight line (11) in the longitudinal extent (6) forms a flattening (20) of the synchronization area (5) at least in some areas, preferably completely.

12. Arrangement of at least two furniture drives (2), each with a drive device (21) and at least one actuating arm (22) for the synchronized movement of a movable one

Furniture part (3) and at least one synchronization rod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two furniture drives (2) in the use position (23) comprise a viewing area (24) and a back (25) and the adjusting arms (22) between one Open position (26) and a closed position (27) can be moved, the at least one further outer contour section (10) being in the open position (26) of the actuating arms (22) in the direction of the back (25) and/or in the closed position (27). Direction of the viewing area (24).

13. Furniture (28) with a furniture body (29) and at least one arrangement according to claim 12. Method for producing a synchronization area (5) of a synchronization rod (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the following method steps:

- An extrusion mold (30) with a first die contour (31) in the form of a circular segment (9) and at least one further die contour (32), in particular adjacent to the first die contour (31), is provided, the at least one further die contour (32 ) one of the first die contour

(31) has different, preferably straight, geometry

- A raw material (33) is extruded through the extrusion mold (30) and used to form the

Synchronization area (5) cut to length Method according to claim 14, wherein the raw material (33) is pre-tempered in a preparatory process step and / or before cutting to length the extruded raw material (33) is stretched, preferably using tongs, and / or is aged in an oven. Method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the extrusion mold (30) for extrusion comprises a first die (36) and at least one second die (37) separate from the first die (36), it being preferably provided that the at least one second die (37) comprises a core (38) which is at least partially inserted into the first die (36), preferably with the same horizon of the dies (36, 37) and/or to form a substantially identical flow rate of the raw material (30) over the dies (36, 37) , stands out.